Lee v. Weisman (1991)
- Docket
- 90-1014
- Decided
- 1991-01-01
Summary
Question: Does the inclusion of clergy who offer prayers at official public school ceremonies violate the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment? Conclusion: Yes. In a 5-to-4 decision, the Court held that government involvement in this case creates "a state-sponsored and state-directed religious exercise in a public school." Such conduct conflicts with settled rules proscribing prayer for students. The school's rule creates subtle and indirect coercion (students must stand respectfully and silently), forcing students to act in ways which establish a state religion. The cornerstone principle of the Establishment Clause is that government may not compose official prayers to recite as part of a religious program carried on by government.